Bart Verbruggen
Bart Verbruggen
Liverpool are assessing their long-term goalkeeping options as they consider potential replacements for Alisson Becker.
The Brazilian is 34, with his contract originally due to expire next June. However, Liverpool have already activated an option to extend his agreement until the end of the 2026-27 season.
Alisson’s agent, Ze Maria, recently revealed that preliminary discussions have begun over a new contract. The goalkeeper has also expressed his happiness at staying at Anfield beyond his current agreement.
According to reports, Brighton’s Bart Verbruggen is among the goalkeepers being considered as a potential long-term option for Liverpool.
Verbruggen has attracted attention with his performances for Brighton this season. He has kept seven clean sheets in 10 Premier League appearances, matching Arsenal’s David Raya for the joint-highest total in the division.
The Dutch goalkeeper has also recorded a 77 per cent passing accuracy in the Premier League this season.
Brighton are currently second in the table with 22 points from 10 matches, five behind leaders Arsenal. Verbruggen’s contract at the Amex Stadium runs until 2028.
Verbruggen has also established himself as the Netherlands’ first-choice goalkeeper, earning 37 international caps. He revealed that head coach Xavi has told him he is the team’s number one.
The Netherlands are preparing for their upcoming fixtures against Greece in Amsterdam on Friday and Germany in Berlin on Monday.
Speaking while on international duty in Zeist, Verbruggen was asked about the transfer speculation linking him with Liverpool.
However, the Brighton goalkeeper made it clear that he is not allowing reports about his future to distract him from his current situation.
“Right now, things are going really well for us at Brighton, so it would be a real shame to ruin that by living in the future in your own head,” he told Dutch broadcaster NOS.
“I try to stay in the moment and focus on what’s happening right now. I enjoy that, and it’s also how I perform at my best.”
The goalkeeper admitted that he dreams of winning trophies but believes discussions about his next career move should wait until the appropriate time.
“But I think that’s an assessment you make when the time is right. And that time is definitely not now,” he added.
“If you start living in the future or the past, I believe your performance suffers. So, I try to steer clear of that. For now, life is good.”
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